All-area team profiles: Fox Valley

Brittany Atkinson Crystal Lake S.This 6-foot senior middle blocker was a key to Crystal Lake South's 23-7 regular season. Committed to Quincy University, Atkinson entered regional play this week with 105 kills, 26 aces, 54 digs and 75 total blocks. "Brittany leads by example," Gators coach Jorie Fontana said. "She's very consistent. Her serve receive passing is excellent. You can always depend that her head's in the game and she'll do her part."

Katie Ayello St. Edward

Jessica Benson Westminster ChristianA 5-foot-9 middle blocker, this senior was the pivotal player in the Warriors' 22-11 regular season. Benson entered regional tournament play this week with team highs in kills (202) and digs (126), 18 blocks and 22 assists. She also recorded 66 aces in 274 service attempts (24.1 percent). "She is our go-to hitter when we need more offense out of the front row or back row," Westminster Christian coach Guy Lum said. "She excels in our back-row defense, fearlessly keeping everything up that comes to her."

Hannah Burkle Crystal Lake SouthA 6-foot-2 middle blocker, this junior cuts an imposing swath at the net. "Hannah is a force to be reckoned with," Gators coach Jorie Fontana said. "When she's on she really is unstoppable. I've seen girls just back away from her when she's serving and when she's hitting and definitely when she puts up a block." Burkle completed the regular season with 59 blocks, 130 kills and 28 aces.

Amanda Carroll Huntley